Late goals lead Lubbock High boys past winless Coronado

Every time they stepped on the soccer field a year ago, the Lubbock High boys found a way to lose.

Now, more often than not, the Westerners are finding ways to win.

Lubbock High was locked in a scoreless tie with Coronado for much of Tuesday's District 2-5A match at Lowrey Field, but the Westerners turned it on late and scored twice in the final nine minutes. The result was a 2-0 victory that left the Westerners at 4-2 for the season and 2-1 in district play, a year after they finished 0-22.

"It's overwhelming," said senior midfielder Aidan Hamman, who scored the first goal on a penalty kick and then assisted on the last one. "Last year we'd get close in games, but then all of a sudden we'd lose it right at the end. So to flat-out win and dominate a game, it feels really great."

Hamman is a large part of the Westerners' success this season. He leads the team with four assists and also has three goals - which is tied with David Morfin for the team lead - and his offensive ability was on display throughout Tuesday's match.

Hamman had a handful of near misses early on, both on his own shots and crosses to teammates, and he finally broke through late. He rifled the penalty kick past diving Coronado goalkeeper John Gordon, after Coronado's Chad George was called for tripping Morfin in the box, and then he made a perfectly placed pass to set up the Westerners' insurance goal with 3:23 left.

Hamman's cross from the right side found a wide-open Paul Stolfo camped out at the far post, and Stolfo headed it past Gordon for his first goal of the season.

"Aidan makes a lot of his opportunities on his own," first-year Lubbock High coach Keith Nix said. "He's good with the ball and knows how to create things, which you saw on the cross. He sat there and made his option, beat the guy and then crossed it to the open back post. He knows how to get open, and he knows how to shoot."

Coronado (0-7, 0-3 in district) came close to scoring shortly after Hamman's penalty kick, taking three of its eight corner kicks and both of its shots on goal during a four-minute span, but the Mustangs couldn't crack Lubbock High's defense and goalkeeper Santos Sanchez.

Near misses on scoring chances have became a frustrating trend for Coronado, which has only one goal in seven matches this season.

"That's been our main thing. We can't put it in the net," first-year Coronado coach Oscar Castillo said. "Any opportunities we have, we just don't take advantage."

Thanks to their defensive play and Gordon, who made five saves, the Mustangs nearly salvaged a tie and their first standings point in 2-5A. But the costly foul against George gave the Westerners a window of opportunity, and they jumped through it.

Now Lubbock High is tied for fourth place in 2-5A - and just one victory behind first-place San Angelo Central - and last year's struggles seem like a world away.

"Honestly, we're not used to winning after a horrible season last year," Hamman said. "But the work ethic is great, and everyone wants to win, and I think that's why we're doing well."